REVIEW: 'Snow Angels' #4 by Jeff Lemire and Jock

The thrilling comixology Originals series 'Snow Angels' from Jeff Lemire and Jock concludes Book 1 with issue four. The 'Terminator' on Ice reaches a fever pitch with one last showdown against the Snowman. New revelations set the stage for the series going forward.

SNOW ANGELS #4

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Jock

Letters: Steve Wands

Publisher: ComiXology Originals

Release Date: May 18, 2021

Cover Price: $2.99

In the sense-shattering conclusion of "Season One", Mae Mae and Millie struggle to survive a to-the-death battle with The Snowman!

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Millie, Mae Mae, and their dad reach the end of the line, as one of their long held beliefs is shattered. The Trench is not never-ending and faced with a wounded father and a killer bearing down on them, the three are trapped. 

'Snow Angels' has been an edge-of-your-seat type thriller as the last remaining family of the Trench went on the run since their village was massacred. It's been a treacherous journey for the two girls and their dad, narrowly escaping with their lives despite the dad's valiant efforts to defend them. By using their wits, they've been able to slow the Snowman down but as the Trench ends so does their luck. 

In such an action-based story, Lemire always finds room for some genuine character moments. At the heart of this series, it's about a dad's unflinching devotion and protection of his family. Part of that responsibility includes indoctrination into what three rules villagers have believed for years - the trench provides, the trench never ends, and never ever leave the trench. Now, with those tenets exposed, the father has to reveal even more to his girls for their own survival going forward. It's a worldview-changing decision that he's forced to make.  

It's no secret that Jock is one of the best artists in comics, that's a given. 'Snow Angels' serves as evidence to that fact and it's hard to imagine anyone else illustrating this series. Jock has mastered the use of negative space, standing in for the blistering white icy landscape of the trench, and contouring that with the use of soft blues. The darkest designs come from the family wearing heavy winter wear, covered in grays and black, giving it weight and texture to mimic fur around the collar and hat. And of course, the fight scene is beautifully choreographed, providing plenty of splashes of blood red. Jock balances perfectly where to be minimal and where to explode with technique and flair. 

'Snow Angels' may have concluded the Book 1 arc but the future is wide open after the explosive conclusion. The ending isn't entirely unexpected but the journey has been an exciting adventure galvanized by a father's love for his family and the will to survive against all costs. Lemire and Jock have created a unique dystopian world full of danger and promise and it's ripe for more stories hopefully.